A Journey of Roles Reversed

FROM TEACHER TO STUDENT PILOT AND STUDENT TO FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

By Mary Nell, Principal at Greenville Technical Charter High School (GTCHS)

In a fascinating twist of fate, a former student of Greenville Technical Charter High School (GTCHS) has returned as a teacher—only this time, the teacher is in the role of the student. Meet Doug Adomatis, an aviation instructor at GTCHS, and Thomas Hogan, an alumnus who is now a certified flight instructor. This past fall, their paths crossed again in an unexpected way when Doug sought out Thomas to be his flight instructor. Here’s their story.

MARY: So, Thomas, tell us your journey from being a graduate of GTCHS to becoming a flight instructor.

THOMAS: Well, I started working on my private pilot’s license as a junior at GTCHS. By the time I was a senior, I had completed it. My senior project was focused on my instrument rating. After high school, I pursued my commercial license and became a flight instructor by December 2022. Since then, I’ve been instructing full-time.

MARY: How did high school prepare you for that journey?

THOMAS: High school taught me to set and follow through with goals. The senior project was particularly relevant because it allowed me to work towards my instrument rating, which is a crucial step in aviation.

MARY: Doug, how did you end up with Thomas as your instructor?

DOUG: I started my flight training pre-COVID with a different flight school and could only train during the summers because of my teaching schedule. After a couple of summers with different instructors, I found myself needing a new one. I saw Thomas’s name on the roster at Greenville Aviation and recognized him immediately. I thought, “I know that guy. I want him to be my instructor.”

MARY: I love that. So how was Thomas as an instructor?

DOUG: Thomas is very by-the-book. Even if I had done something before, he needed to see me do it to sign off on it. There’s nothing wrong with that; it ensures all certifications are earned properly.

MARY: Thomas, how was Doug as a student?

THOMAS: Doug was great because he already knew a lot of the ground material from teaching aviation. This meant we could focus more on actual flight instruction, which made the process smoother and quicker.

MARY: Did you ever feel awkward being in the teacher role with your former teacher?

THOMAS: Not really. It felt more like we were just flying together. There was a positive vibe, and we had fun. It wasn’t awkward but a bit weird initially.

DOUG: We definitely had fun and shared some high-five moments. It was never truly awkward, just a little different at first.

MARY: You recently shared some significant accomplishments. Tell us about them.

THOMAS: As pilots, we constantly take check rides. During my time instructing Doug, I had to pass a check ride to become an instrument instructor. This allows me to instruct students on flying in clouds or low visibility. Doug was actually my first student to pass a check ride, which was a big moment for both of us.

DOUG: Yes, I was Thomas’s first student to pass a check ride. It was nerve-wracking for both of us, but I passed, and that was a significant achievement for Thomas as an instructor.

MARY: Doug, what does it mean for you to have started the aviation program at GTCHS and now see its success?

DOUG: It’s incredibly rewarding. It brings credibility to the program. Having a former student like Thomas come back as an instructor adds to that credibility and shows the program’s success.

MARY: What advice would you give to teachers pursuing their pilot certification?

DOUG: Get it done. Fly often to meet your goals. If you can only train in the summer, try to solo in the first summer, complete your ground training during the school year, and finish your flight training the next summer.

MARY: Thomas, what advice would you give to students in the high school aviation program?

THOMAS: Use the opportunity to learn and pass your written test early. It makes the rest of your training easier and more focused on actual flying.

MARY: Thank you both for sharing your incredible journey. It’s inspiring to see how our aviation program has enabled such success for both of you.

In the world of aviation, the roles of teacher and student often blur, creating a unique and enriching learning environment. Doug and Thomas’s story is a testament to the power of education and the endless possibilities it can create.